#zdetails

[zquad2016]

Everything was created with the idea that this is something I would want to wear ... I wanted to approach this as an opportunity to extend my ideas as an artist, and to give fans another facet of who I am ... My family is from Pakistan, so having artwork in Urdu has huge significance to me ... Working with Mark gave me a license to do something exciting conceptually with a lot of color and detail ... The art we created gives a nod to the vintage rock-band T-shirts but with my own concept.

Zayn on his latest merch collection (x)

[zquad2016]

Zayn Malik Interview from Paris Fashion Week 2015 

*Translated as accurately as possible. Words in brackets indicate the word was cut out in the photo and is what is assumed to be written*

Hello Zayn! How are you?

I’m fine, thank you. I took a few days off to assess the situation. I really needed it. These past five years, I had very little time to (myself) and I started going a bit crazy. I had to take a step back.

(Your) decision to quit One Direction (in the middle of) a tour hugely (disappointed) your fans. How did you (cope during) that period?

I thought (really hard) before making that decision. Leaving 1D (was the) hardest thing I’ve (ever done in) my life. In five years, I developed a very strong (bond/friendship?) with the members of (the band) who are like my brothers, and stopping everything was really not easy for me. I apologize to the fans, but I have to listen to my heart. (I chose to) leave because I want to be a normal 22 year old, who (...?) and has a private life

(Did the other members) feel like you betrayed them?

(They) understood that I needed a long break. And (because I didn’t) know how long it would take for me to feel better, I decided to leave 1D.

How have they reacted to this terrible news?

They were all very affected. This was especially hard for me. We spent hours discussing. It was a very intense conversation... We all had lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes…

Are you guys still on good terms?

Yes! The members of the group will always be brothers to me! The bond between us is very strong and is not close to breaking. I know that I have four friends for life, Louis, Liam, Niall and Harry. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.

The boys didn’t try to keep you from leaving?

Yes, of course they did! They wanted me to stay with them. One Direction, it’s our band and I’m an essential member just like Harry, Louis, Liam and Niall! But after I lengthily explained the reasons that pushed me to make this decision, they understood me and supported me.

What is troubling is that you wanted to be less exposed, while a few weeks after you were already in the studio to record your solo album...

The problem is not about making music. It’s my passion. I don’t see myself really doing anything else…I just wanted to stop running from right to left and  going on tours without really having a day off.

Did the distance from your family and your fiancee influence your decision?

Yes, totally. It was one of the main reasons for my leaving. I think that a lot of people don’t realize how much energy it takes and the work we accomplished in the last five years. We have much time to be with our family and friends. I’m only 22 and I think that I still need to grow up near my family.

Did you ask for advice from your fiancee, Perrie Edwards?

I don’t hide anything from her. I talked to her about my choice. I tell her everything. Perrie is very understanding and understood that mentally and physically I couldn’t continue any longer like this.

How did you feel a few weeks before you left?

I felt a bit like a prisoner and it started being too much. It’s a bit complicated to explain… I didn’t recognize myself anymore and I felt like I was on a bad path, that I was derailing…

How do you feel today?

Much better! I’m feeling good and I don’t regret my decision. I’m doing pretty well right now and I have a lot of projects.

Like your solo album…

I’m spending a lot of time in the studio right now. I’m taking a lot of time to write my first solo tracks… It does me a lot of good to focus on my own music.

Isn’t it a bit too early to start working now?

I don’t think so! It’s the opposite, it allows me get out everything weighing on my heart and transform it into something productive. Although I spend my days working on my album, I still go home at night to my family and I can do things at my own rythme.

Are you excited to get back on stage again?

I’m in transition right now but the stage (is my) element. Of course I want to ( (something about wanting to put on a show and see the fans- difficult to see section). For the moment, (piece not visible, unable to determine what’s being said). Something about taking some time before announcing any show dates.

How do you feel about knowing that from now on, you’re going to see your own name?

It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time. I think managing a solo career is very complicated. It’s a lot more difficult than being in a boy band. The group helps a lot to the make everything easier. Inevitably, the strength of the group, it helps.

After a few weeks of break, do you know what are you going to miss the most?

Having fun with the guys! We spent a lot of time together.  We always had something to do or to share. I miss this closeness already.

If you had to choose a memory from each member of the band, what would it be?

Niall’s appetite, he’s always eating something! Louis’ smile. He loves to play the divas. Harry’s sense of humour, which always makes for good (unable to see word). And Liam’s calm... He was so serene that he always calmed the group a lot.

And could you tell us how you want them to remember you?

My amazing imitation of girls! (Says something about wearing a skirt during the Best Song Ever video and how painful heels are to wear- difficult to read from the photo.)

[zquad2016]

Zayn Malik Manager Sarah Stennett Wants to 'Make Sure Nobody Gets in the Way of Him Becoming an Important Artist'

All the Zayn pieces of this article

In this week's issue of Billboard, we're following four music industry players throughout a 24-hour period to get a sense of the breadth of the music world in 2015: International pop star Ed Sheeran, Def Jam vp No I.D., DJ Tommy Trash and Sarah Stennett, the power manager behind Ellie Goulding, Iggy Azalea and the newly solo Zayn Malik.

Although Stennett couldn't reveal much about the former One Direction singer's new music, she could do one thing for us: Play a brand new Zayn Malik song for the writer of the piece. Unfortunately, we can't reveal much more about it -- just that we heard it from her phone played over a car stereo while tagging along with her for the day in New York City.

Speaking of Malik's boy band past, Stennett tells Billboard, "The environment he was in was all about compromise." Now that he's trying to become his own artist, she has a clear goal and high hopes: "My job is simple: Make sure nobody gets in the way of him becoming an important artist."

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While in New York this week, Stennett has had “extensive meetings” with RCA Records president Tom Corson about Malik, who’s working on his label debut with Frank Ocean producer Malay.

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Zayn Malik has a new song, and that’s all we can say

After lunch with a music lawyer at midtown red-sauce joint Patsy’s,Stennett is off to see her band Lion Babe rehearse in a midtown studio. En route, she starts raving about Zayn Malik, who set Twitter aflame in March by quitting One Direction, saying he wanted “to relax and have some private time.” Stennett now manages him.

Malik sometimes calls Stennett to play songs in progress over the phone, and now she plugs her device into the car’s stereo to do the same for Billboard. But first, she insists that we say nothing about the song, except that it exists. “You can’t write about it. Do you promise?” she asks forcefully. We nod our agreement.

“Turn it up,” she tells the driver. Billboard can now exclusively report that Zayn Malik has recorded a song that Sarah Stennett has on her phone. But that’s all anyone can say. Double-crossing a lawyer is a bad idea.

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This is Stennett’s last scheduled meeting, but her day isn’t nearly over. She’ll go back to her hotel, look at her emails, call Malik and get an update about Azalea, who has been recording.